The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-17

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Blasts Continue

17 Mar 2008 09:16:00 (Last updated: 17 Mar 2008 10:47:01)

The situation in Albania is dramatic following the consecutive blasts that hit arms dumps outside Tirana Saturday. Although official reports speak of nine dead and 300 injured, government sources speak of at least 60 dead. Hospitals are full injured, while the number of missing remains unclear. Damage is extensive, with 200 houses having been leveled and 300 more abandoned by their owners. Rescue teams are trying to locate any survivors with extreme precautions in the ruins as blasts continue.

Greek Aid

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has expressed Greeces solidarity to Albania when he communicated with his Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha, adding that Greece wishes to offer any possible help. Meanwhile, 12 injured were transferred to the Ioannina Hospital and five to Athens hospitals, while one military aircraft transferred doctors and medicines to Albania. Besides, fresh aid will be sent at 12:00 today and more injured will be possibly transferred to Greek hospitals.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

National Disaster

[02] PASOK's

17 Mar 2008 08:44:00

The PASOK Eighth Congress concluded is sessions at dawn with the election of the new 150 members of the partys National Council. Fofi Gennimata, Christos Polyzogopoulos, Giannis Michas, Nikos Androulakis, Alexis Mitropoulos, Stefanos Tzumakas, Lefteris Katsirellis, Stelios Ageloudis and Nikos Mademlis won the first 10 positions. Any objections will be examined at 11:00 today and the new Secretary will be elected on Friday by the National Council.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Mobilisations Continue Despite Ruling

Sources: NET 105.8

The Court of First Instance has ruled that any further mobilizations by GENOP-PPC with the same demands will be illegal if the law is not abided. This means that the company will have to be informed about the strike four days before it is declared and a skeleton staff will have to be appointed. Meanwhile, the primary Trade Unions have declared a fresh 48-hour strike. In its announcement GENOP (General Federation of Employees of Public Power Corporation) demands that PPC (Public Power Corporation) President Takis Athanasopoulos and EVEA President Konstantinos Michalos are removed from their post.

At the same time, the PPC has announced one-hour long electric power cuts for today.

Anyone who wishes to be informed on the electric power cuts should visit the PPC electronic site.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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In Expectance of Ruling

[04] New Meeting on Name Issue

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The new round of negotiations on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue is commencing in Vienna today under the UN auspices. Special mediator Matthew Nimetz will meet with Greek and FYROM ambassadors Vasilakis and Dimitrov respectively in an attempt to find a solution. Athens has already clarified its position, while Skopje insists that only their Constitutional name is recognised.

In an interview with Free Europe Radio Station, FYROM President Branko Tservenkofski stated that there is a close relation between his states name, his people and their national identity, adding that FYROM will not change its stance on that. "Some proposals do not affect our national identity, but give an additional description of Macedonias political system. Unfortunately, Greece has rejected these proposals," he said.

From his side, FYROM PM Nikola Gruevski described a discussion on a name that would be describing the countrys political system pointless, as the Greek side had rejected it.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Meeting on FYROM Name Issue

[05] Attacks against Isaf in Afghanistan

Four NATO soldiers have been killed and four wounded in a suicide attack against an Isaf convoy in the southern province of Helmand, announced a NATO spokesman from Kabul, without however providing any information on the nationality of the victims. Meanwhile, the police chief had announced that in another attack three civilians had been killed and seven injured by a car bomb aimed at a NATO convoy near the town of Girishk. As per police chief Mohammad Hussain Andiwal, six civilians were injured.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Oil Hits US$111.8 Per Barrel

Oil and the euro are continuing their upward trend today, with crude oil in Asian Markers trading at US$111.80 per barrel after exceeding the US$111 barrier in New York on Friday. OPEC President Hakib Khalil attributed the surge of oil prices to profiteering and the slide of the dollar and not due to low oil production. Besides, the euro parity was fixed at US$1.58, while Nikkei Index closed at -3.7%. Meanwhile, late Sunday, the Federal Reserve cut its lending rate to banks, about the same time U.S. banking giant JPMorgan Chase agreed to buy cash-strapped rival Bear Stearns. The U. S. Central Bank - the Federal Reserve - is expected to help fund some of the transaction. The Bear Stearns deal occurred at about the same time the Fed announced it would cut its lending rate to financial institutions a quarter point to 3.25 percent. The Fed also said it would create a new lending facility, to take effect Monday, that will allow big investment banks access to short-term loans.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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